a s c l o s e t o p u r i t y

One of the most incredibly talented voices I have ever had the pleasure of hearing live on a handful of occasions, Renee Geyer equates and epitomises the simplicity of God-given vocal talent. It's always hard trying to describe atmosphere in a textual sense for others to appreciate, so you'll understand why I won't even try to describe for you the full-on choke-me-up soul atmosphere Renee Geyer has the ability to produce with her vocals. However I will say, her performance at the "Basement" in Sydney, Australia which was later released as the album "Live at the Basement" in 1986, was one of the ultimate live vocal performances I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

In the earlier stages of her career she was perhaps more aligned with rhythm & blues than with quintessential soul music, nevertheless the scope for this Australian talent to transcend the boundaries of both genres is infinitely possible. Though for me the "soul quality" of Renee Geyer, comes through loud and expertly clear, in the track "Heaven (The Closest I'll Get)" from the 1999 (Mushroom) album "Sweet Life" which doubled in some countries as "The Best of Renee Geyer 1973-1998".

As a veteran of twenty plus albums since 1972, Geyer continually amazes the aural senses with her raspy Dusty Springfield-like and sometimes melancholic vocal range. But her vocal skills are not limited to soulful ballads alone as she knows how to and does, with spectacular deliverance, lend her sophisticated out-pouring to soft rock, bluesy tunes and country folk classics. A notable example being her cover of the song “Crazy”, written by Willie Nelson and popularised by country artist Patsy Cline. (The Definitive Collection 1973-1998) which I would recommend for listening, not for comparison but rather as a stand-alone version.

Whether before during or after now Renee Geyer is without doubt a soul queen the likes of which Australasia has not yet seen again. At the heart of the music Renee Geyer brings forth is unadulterated soul, a soul which for me is as close to vocal purity as one could hope to hear.

Sweet Life
1999 Mushroom

1. Best Times (expired)
2. Heaven (The Closest I'll Get) (expired)
3. You Broke a Beautiful Thing
4. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me.
5. From Now On
6. Play Me
7. Knowing You Were Loved
8. Cake and the Candle
9. Don't Be So Sad
10. Killer Lover (expired)
11. My Back Room

Official website: www.reneegeyer.com.au

s m o o t h f r o m t h e c o r n e r

Che Fu, is one of Aoteroa's (New Zealand's), consummate music industry soul and hip-hop professionals. From his early days fronting the high school ensemble "Low Down Dirty Blues Band" and through their evolution into "Supergroove", Che Fu as lead vocal kept in touch with the essentialness of his music tastes and styles. The Che Fu most of Australasia are aware of in his now solo-transformation, is for me the quintessential Che Fu, at the origin of his musical self.

Che Fu performing on stage at Atamira, Auckland New Zealand. 2007
Photo: nativ flavaz | photography all rights reserved.

Che Fu's exceptional musical talents did not go unnoticed and at the 1997 New Zealand Music Awards Che Fu picked-up, Single of the Year, Song Writer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. Based primarily perhaps on the following Che Fu afforded himself with his own unique vocal style fronting Supergroove, his debut solo album "2B S.Pacific" released in 1998, easily found a home in the music libraries of anyone within reach of it. Che Fu, a man making room for himself forever keeping it real and relevant


1998 SONY BMG (NZ)

1. Intro
2. Waka
3. Hoodies
4. Brainfighta
5. Touch the Floor (expired)
6. Machine Talk
7. The Mish
8. Rain on the Roof
9. Without a Doubt (expired)
10. Scene
11. Hold Your Ground
12. True Balance (expired)
13. Chains
14. Trust

Official website: www.che-fu.com

f o u r p a r t s b a d u - vol.1

Whether by accident or design, Erykah Badu can today be described as a pioneer in the neo-soul genre' of soul music. The release of her (soon after) acclaimed debut album "Baduizm" in 1997, gave the music world a three year sampling of what Badu could ingeniously express through the medium of music, before the follow-up release of "Mama's Gun", Badu's second studio album, arrived in 2000. Discounting but not forgetting "Live" released later in 1997, "Baduizm" explored, quantified and diversified music influences from jazz, r&b and soul spectrums with Badu marrying those influences into the innovative 14 track debut release.

Erykah Badu brought to the music industry the revelation of her musical intellect in having written all but one of the tracks on "Baduizm". Though "Baduizm" had been duplicated several times since 1997, the original release remains a creative benchmark of musical innovation.

f o u r p a r t s b a d u is a volume of music in the making, a compilation of four Erykah Badu tracks from four Erykah Badu albums in four volumes. Below is volume .1 to be followed by volume.2, volume.3 and of course volume 4.



Soldier - New Amerykah Part.1: 4th World War (expired)
Back in the Day (Puff) - Worldwide Underground (expired)
Didn't Cha Know - Mama's Gun (expired)
Sometimes... - Baduizm (expired)

Official website: www.erykahbadu.com

t h e s e t u p

RS Rated Soul is here.... but under construction